A former senator from the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, serving a life sentence, secured promises from the prison administration and ended his hunger strike.

Former senator from Karachay-Cherkessia, Rauf Arashukov, serving a life sentence in the Black Dolphin prison colony, ended his hunger strike. The protest lasted ten days. According to his lawyer, Dmitry Trubnikov, the prison administration agreed to fulfill his client's demands and create "normal conditions" for him. The lawyer did not specify what changes would be made.

Arashukov was in solitary confinement during his hunger strike. Since early June, he has been working in a garment factory.

Previously, Arashukov had sought, among other things, an increase in the number of visits with minors. Currently, those sentenced to life imprisonment are allowed one long visit and two short visits through glass. He sent his appeal to the government, the Federation Council, the State Duma, and the Commissioner for Human and Children's Rights.

Rauf Arashukov was arrested in January 2019 during a Federation Council session. His father, Raul Arashukov, a former advisor to the general director of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz, was also arrested at the same time.

In December 2022, the Moscow City Court sentenced both men to life imprisonment. They were found guilty of organizing contract killings, creating a criminal organization, and embezzling gas. Both pleaded not guilty. The appeal and cassation courts upheld the sentences.

The criminal cases against Rauf Arashukov did not end there. In August 2026, the court dismissed his appeal against the conviction for bribery in a penal colony. For this charge, he was sentenced to an additional ten years in prison, in addition to his life sentence.

Последние новости
Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
Human rights
Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
16 October 2026

A Russian military appellate court has rejected the appeals of four Crimean Tatars—Nariman Ametov, Ali Mamutov, Vokhid Mustafayev, and Enver Khalilyayev—who were convicted of involvement with the organization ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir.’ The sentences handed down by the Southern District Military Court on May 21, 2026, remain unchanged. According to the TASS news agency, citing court sources, the individuals—part of what is known as the "third Dzhankoy group"—were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 14 to 15 years.
Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
Human rights
Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
16 October 2026

Six people convicted in connection with the events of October 4, 2025, in Tbilisi have been set free following the conclusion of plea agreements with the prosecutor's office. This was reported on October 16 by the television channel TV Pirveli.
UN Summit Participants in Yerevan Seek Ways to Halt Nature’s Destruction
Ecology
UN Summit Participants in Yerevan Seek Ways to Halt Nature’s Destruction
16 October 2026

On October 16, a Leaders’ Summit on Biodiversity is taking place in Yerevan, organized as part of the preparations for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). Participants are discussing how to accelerate the fulfillment of international commitments regarding biodiversity conservation and prompt more decisive action from governments.
In Baku, the wife of a
Human rights
In Baku, the wife of a "Muslim Unity" activist has been arrested for four months following a protest in defense of the hijab
16 October 2026

Shahizyar Huseynova, who took part in a demonstration against restrictions on wearing the hijab in Azerbaijani schools, has been placed in custody for four months. This was reported by her husband, Aga Huseynov, an activist with the "Muslim Unity" movement.